System and method for providing premium transport in a DOCSIS-compliant cable network

ABSTRACT

A system and method for providing premium transport in a DOCSIS-compliant cable network. An edge server in a DOCSIS-compliant cable network maintains a list of preferred content providers (PCPs). For each PCP, the PCP list comprises matching criteria. The edge server monitors the header of incoming packets for the matching criteria. A packet that matches the matching criteria is modified by the edge server causing the packet to be associated with a “premium” downstream service flow. Packets sent in response to a “preferred” packet are parsed by a cable modem and routed upstream according to a “premium” upstream service flow.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the present invention are directed generally to packettransport in a cable network. More particularly, embodiments of thepresent invention are directed to systems and methods for transportingpackets originating from preferred content providers over a cablenetwork according to a selected “premium” service flow.

Hybrid Fiber Coax (HFC) cable networks were originally built to deliverbroadcast-quality TV signals to homes. The wide availability of suchsystems and their extremely wide bandwidth of these systems led to theextension of their functionality to include delivery of high-speedbroadband data signals to end-users. Data over Cable System InterfaceSpecifications (DOCSIS), a protocol elaborated under the leadership ofCable Television Laboratories, Inc., has been established as the majorindustry standard for two-way communications over HFC cable plants.

The basic elements of a DOCSIS compliant cable network are the cablemodem (CM), located on at the subscriber's site, and the cable modemtermination system (CMTS) and headend located in facilities operated bythe cable service provider. The medium between the CMTS and thedifferent CMs is a two-way shared medium, in which the downstreamchannels carry signals from the head-end to users and upstream channelscarry signals from users to head-end. A CM is normally tuned to oneupstream channel and the associated downstream channel. The upstreamchannel is an inherently shared medium in which slots are reserved usinga contention system while the downstream is a broadcast dedicated linkfrom the CMTS to the CM.

A quality of service (QoS) level is defined for communications between aCM and a CMTS for each service to which a subscriber subscribes. Forexample, a basic data service subscriber may receive downstream trafficat a maximum burst rate of 3 Mbps, while a premium subscriber mayreceive downstream traffic at maximum burst rate of 6 Mbps. Voice overIP (VoIP) services are typically provided with very stringent QoSrequirements to assure that the quality of a cable-delivered telephonecall will equal or exceed the call quality of a call placed over thepublic switched telephone network.

The principal mechanism for providing enhanced QoS is to classifypackets traversing path between a CM and CMTS into a service flow. Aservice flow is a unidirectional flow of packets that is provided aparticular Quality of Service. The CM and CMTS provide this QoS byshaping, policing, and prioritizing traffic according to a QoS parameterset defined for the service flow.

Service flows exist in both the upstream and downstream direction, andmay exist without actually being activated to carry traffic. Serviceflows have a 32-bit service flow identifier (SFID) assigned by the CMTS.All service flows have an SFID. An active and admitted upstream serviceflow also has a 14-bit Service Identifier (SID). At least two serviceflows are defined in a configuration file received by a CM—one forupstream and one for downstream service. The first upstream service flowdescribes the primary upstream service flow, and is the default serviceflow used for otherwise unclassified traffic. The first downstreamservice flow describes service to the primary downstream service flow.Additional service flows defined in the configuration file createservice flows that are provided QoS services.

Conceptually, incoming packets are matched to a classifier thatdetermines to which QoS service flow the packet is forwarded. The headerof the packet is examined. If the packet matches one of the classifiers,it is forwarded to the service flow indicated by the SFID attribute ofthe classifier. If the packet is not matched to a classifier, it isforwarded on the primary service flow.

A classifier is a set of matching criteria applied to each packetentering the cable network. It comprises some packet matching criteria(destination IP address, for example), a classifier priority, and areference to a service flow. If a packet matches the specified packetmatching criteria, it is then delivered on the referenced service flow.Several classifiers may all refer to the same service flow. Theclassifier priority is used for ordering the application of classifiersto packets. Explicit ordering is necessary because the patterns used byclassifiers may overlap. Downstream classifiers are applied by the CMTSto packets it is transmitting, and upstream classifiers are applied atthe CM and may be applied at the CMTS to police the classification ofupstream packets. The characteristics of a provisioned downstreamservice flow are defined in a DOCSIS configuration file downloaded bythe CM when it boots and provided to the CMTS by the CM duringregistration.

Multiple service flows can be assigned per cable modem in either theupstream or downstream direction, and each of these service flows cancorrespond to a different QoS parameter set with differentcharacteristics. This is conducive to allowing the CM to accommodatemultiple kinds of data traffic at once, such as standard Internettraffic and Voice over IP (VoIP).

To guarantee bandwidth for a specific service, a network device must beable to identify packets associated with that service in all the IPtraffic flowing through it. This identification and grouping process iscalled packet classification. Media gateways and MTAs use various matchcriteria to place traffic into a certain number of classes. Packetmarking is the process of setting a Type of Service (ToS) bits orDifferentiated Service Code Point (DSCP) bits in the IP header.

Modern IP enabled services such as voice over IP (VoIP) and MPEG Videoover IP have a requirement for an assured rate of throughput, as well asstrict requirements for latency and jitter, which could not be providedin a best effort environment. In addition, these kinds of services arenot typically always active and, as such, resources to accommodate themneed only be allocated when these services are required. For thisreason, DOCSIS provides a range of modes for CM data transmission thatcan be initiated and terminated dynamically to accommodate theseadvanced IP services. Each of these modes can be applied to a QoSParameter Set that define characteristics of an upstream service flow:

-   -   Unsolicited Grant Service (UGS)—A service flow is created that        allows a Cable Modem to transmit fixed size bursts of data at a        guaranteed rate and with a guaranteed level of jitter by        providing periodic transmission opportunities to the Cable Modem        for fixed sized frames. This kind of service flow is        particularly suitable for Voice over IP applications.    -   Real-Time Polling Service (rtPS)—A service flow is created        giving a periodic opportunity for a Cable Modem to request        permission to transmit data by polling one Cable Modem for a        bandwidth request, rather than all modems. This satisfies        applications that have a requirement for real time data        transmission as well as allowing the cable modem to transmit        data bursts of varying length. This kind of service flow is        particularly suitable for MPEG video over IP.    -   Unsolicited Grant Service with Activity Detection (UGS/AD)—This        kind of service flow is a combination of UGS and rtPS and is        useful for services that require a UGS style of fixed size and        fixed rate transmission opportunities, but have significant        periods where no data is being sent. One good example of this        might be a Voice over IP phone call where up to 50% or more of        the call may be silence and require no data transmission. While        words are being spoken and packetized voice needs to be        transmitted, the Cable Modem receives UGS style grants from the        CMTS. When there is silence, the CMTS detects the absence of        data and switches to a rtPS style mode, which temporarily frees        up upstream bandwidth. When the conversation restarts and the        Cable Modem needs to transmit more packetized voice, the Cable        Modem transmits a further request to the CMTS via an rtPS        granted opportunity and then the UGS style grants recommence.    -   Non-Real-Time Polling Service—This kind of service flow is like        the rtPS, however polling will typically occur at a much lower        rate and may not necessarily be periodic. This applies to        applications that have no requirement for a real time service        but may need an assured high level of bandwidth. An example of        this may be a bulk data transfer or an Internet Gaming        application.

A downstream service flow also uses QoS parameters to define particulardownstream service flows. For example, QoS parameters used in thedownstream direction comprise a “minimum reserved traffic rate”, a“traffic priority”, and a “maximum downstream latency.” These downstreamQoS parameters may be used by a scheduler in the CMTS to ensure thatpreferred traffic receives some guarantees for delivery within a certainamount of time and that that traffic is given priority over othertraffic during times of downstream network congestion.

DOCSIS thus provides tools to define service flows both statically anddynamically in the upstream and downstream directions based on servicetype. However, there is no current mechanism for a cable system operatorto redefine the parameter set of an upstream or downstream service flowbased on the source of the packets being sent to, or from, a subscriber.What would be useful are systems and methods for transporting packetsoriginating from designated content providers over a cable networkaccording to a selected “premium” downstream service flow. These systemsand methods would further provide the option of establishing a premiumupstream service flow for packets sent by a subscriber in response tothe downstream packets. Additionally, such systems and methods wouldprovide the cable system operator means for billing the designatedcontent provider for packets delivered using the premium service flow.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment of the present invention, an edge server maintains alist of preferred content providers (PCPs). For each PCP, the PCP listcomprises matching criteria associated with a PCP. The PCP list can alsobe maintained by a centralized PCP list server that periodically pushesthe PCP list to each of the edge servers or from which the edge serversperiodically pull the lists.

The edge server monitors the header of incoming packet for the matchingcriteria. A packet that comprises the matching criteria is modified bythe edge server. When the modified packet reaches the CMTS, the CMTSassociates the packet with a “premium” downstream service flow having“higher” QoS of service level (“premium transport”). Premium transportapplies to the transport of packets over the path between the CMTS and aCM.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the matching criteria maycomprise the packet source IP address, the packet source port, thepacket protocol, and the destination port. However, this is not meant asa limitation. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, othercriteria may be used to match a packet to a listed PCP. For example, apacket may comprise a Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) tag that isused by the edge server to qualify a downstream packet for premiumtransport. For a particular PCP, the cable system operator establishesmatching rules that require one or more of the matching criteria to bepresent in the received packet to qualify that packet for downstreampremium transport.

In an embodiment of the present invention, modifying a packet to receivepremium transport comprises replacing the ToS bits included in the IPheader with a “premium” ToS value. This premium ToS value is maintainedby each intermediate network hop between the edge router and the CMTS.The premium ToS value causes the CMTS to place the “preferred” packetsonto a predefined “premium” service flow. Packets that do not containthe premium ToS bit values are placed on other service flows accordingto the ToS value as originally included in the packet header.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a packet from a customerpremises equipment (CPE) is sent to the CMTS via the CM over a premiumupstream service flow. During provisioning, the cable modem receivesupstream classifier that comprise parameters that define matchingcriteria enabling the CM to identify packets that are destined for PCPs.A packet that matches the matching criteria is associated with aCM-enforced policy that causes the packet to be directed to the PCP overa premium upstream service flow.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, XML-formatted,Internet Protocol Detail Records (IPDR) records are maintained by theedge routers or the CMTS. These records count the number of bits thathave been delivered to the upstream and/or downstream premium serviceflows with content provider-identifiable information. The cable systemoperator uses the records to determine the traffic volume given premiumtransport for each PCP and may thus obtain compensation from the PCPaccordingly. In an embodiment of the present invention, an identifyinglabel or graphic can be placed on the PCP's web page indicating thatthis web content will be given preferential treatment by the cablenetwork operator.

It is therefore an aspect of the present invention to transport packetsoriginating from a PCP over a cable network according to a selected“premium” service flow.

It is another aspect of the present invention to monitor inbound packetsat an edge server to determine whether the packets are entitled totransport via a premium service flow.

It is yet another aspect of the present invention to identify a packetentitled to transport via premium service flows and to replace a serviceclassifier in the IP header with a premium service classifier indicativeof a premium service flow.

It is still another aspect of the present invention to adapt the cablemodem termination system (CMTS) to associate a premium serviceclassifier with a premium service flow.

It is another aspect of the present invention to quantify the number ofpackets sent over a premium downstream service flow from a particularPCP.

It is yet another aspect of the present invention to identify packetsoriginating from a CPE as entitled to transport via a premium upstreamservice flow.

It is still another aspect of the present invention to quantify thenumber of packets sent over a premium upstream service flow to aparticular PCP.

These and other aspects of the present invention will be apparent from areview of the general and detailed description that follows.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a system for providingpremium transport in a DOCSIS-compliant cable network comprises apreferred content provider (PCP) datastore and a packet discriminator.The PCP data store comprises PCP matching criteria. In an embodiment ofthe present invention, a PCP is a provider of content selected from thegroup consisting of games, web pages, video content, audio content,photographic content, news content, packet telephony service, and datacontent

The packet discriminator is adapted to receive packets directeddownstream to a subscriber on the DOCSIS-compliant network, extractpacket identifying information from a packet IP header of a packet, anddetermine if the packet identifying information matches the PCP matchingcriteria. In an embodiment of the present invention, packet identifyinginformation and PCP matching criteria comprise a source IP address.Optionally, packet identifying information and PCP matching criteriacomprise a source IP address and a source port number. In anotherembodiment of the present invention, packet identifying information andPCP matching criteria comprise a source IP address and a type-of-serviceidentifier.

If the packet identifying information matches the PCP matching criteria,then the packet discriminator modifies the packet IP header to receive apremium service classifier indicative of premium transport and routesthe packet to the subscriber. In an embodiment of the present invention,the premium service classifier indicative of premium transport comprisespremium type-of-service bits indicative of premium transport.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the system furthercomprises a cable modem termination system (CMTS). The CMTS is adaptedto receive the packet routed to the subscriber and determine whether thepacket IP header comprises the premium service classifier. If the packetIP header comprises the premium service classifier, then the CMTSselects a premium downstream service flow, and directs the packet to thesubscriber using the selected premium downstream service flow. In anembodiment of the present invention, the premium downstream service flowcomprises parameters indicative of a minimum reserved traffic rate, atraffic priority, and a maximum downstream latency.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the packet discriminator islocated at the CMTS. In another embodiment of the present invention, thesystem further comprises an edge server and the packet discriminator islocated at the edge server.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the system comprisesa preferred packet statistics log. If the packet identifying informationmatches the PCP matching criteria, then the preferred packet statisticslog receives the packet identifying information and billing information.In an embodiment of the present invention, the billing informationcomprises the premium service classifier, a packet destination IPaddress, and a date and time the packet was routed to the subscriber. Instill another embodiment of the present invention, the PCP matchingcriteria are associated with a PCP identifier and the billinginformation further comprises the PCP identifier.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for providingpremium transport in a DOCSIS-compliant cable network. According to thismethod, packets directed downstream to a subscriber on theDOCSIS-compliant network are received. Packet identifying informationare extracted from a packet IP header of a packet. A determination ismade whether the packet identifying information matches preferredcontent provider (PCP) matching criteria. If the packet identifyinginformation matches the PCP matching criteria, then the packet IP headeris modified to receive a premium service classifier indicative ofpremium transport, and the packet is routed to the subscriber.

In one embodiment of the present invention, packets are received at anedge server. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention,packets are received at a CMTS.

In an embodiment of the present invention, packet identifyinginformation and PCP matching criteria comprise a source IP address.Optionally, packet identifying information and PCP matching criteriacomprise a source IP address and a source port number. In anotherembodiment of the present invention, packet identifying information andPCP matching criteria comprise a source IP address and a type-of-serviceidentifier.

Packets routed to the subscriber are received at a CMTS. A determinationis made whether the packet IP header comprises the premium serviceclassifier. If the packet IP header comprises the premium serviceclassifier, then a downstream premium service flow is selected, and thepacket is directed to the subscriber using the selected premium serviceflow. In an embodiment of the present invention, the premium downstreamservice flow comprises parameters indicative of a minimum reservedtraffic rate, a traffic priority, and a maximum downstream latency.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, if the packetidentifying information matches the PCP matching criteria, then thepacket identifying information and billing information are sent to apreferred packet statistics log. In an embodiment of the presentinvention, the billing information comprises the premium serviceclassifier, a packet destination IP address, and a date and time thepacket was routed to the subscriber. In another embodiment of thepresent invention, the PCP matching criteria are associated with a PCPidentifier and the billing information further comprises the PCPidentifier.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, a PCP is aprovider of content selected from the group consisting of games, webpages, video content, audio content, photographic content, news content,packet telephony service, and data content.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a system for providingpremium transport in a DOCSIS-compliant cable network comprises a cablemodem (CM), a customer premises equipment (CPE), and a cable modemtermination system (CMTS). The CPE is connected to the CM and the CMcommunicates with the CMTS over a hybrid fiber pathway. The CM isadapted to receive preferred content provider (PCP) matching criteria,to receive packets from the CPE, and to extract packet identifyinginformation from a packet IP header of a packet. The CM determines ifthe packet identifying information matches the PCP matching criteria. Ifthe packet identifying information matches the PCP matching criteria,then CM directs the packet to the CMTS over a premium upstream serviceflow.

In an embodiment of the present invention, packet identifying criteriacomprises a packet destination IP address and PCP matching criteriacomprises a stored source IP address. Optionally, packet identifyinginformation comprises a source IP address and a source port number. PCPmatching criteria comprise a stored packet IP address and a storedpacket port number. In another embodiment of the present invention, thepacket identifying information further comprises a type-of-serviceidentifier and the PCP matching criteria comprise a stored packet sourceIP address and a type of service identifier.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the premium upstream serviceflow comprises parameters indicative of a maximum upstream burst rate, atraffic priority, and a maximum upstream latency.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the system comprisesa preferred packet statistics log. If the packet identifying informationmatches the PCP matching criteria, then the preferred packet statisticslog receives the packet identifying information and billing information.In an embodiment of the present invention, the billing informationcomprises the premium service classifier, a packet destination IPaddress, and a date and time the packet was routed from the CM to theCMTS. In still another embodiment of the present invention, the PCPmatching criteria are associated with a PCP identifier and the billinginformation further comprises the PCP identifier.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a PCP is a provider ofcontent selected from the group consisting of games, web pages, videocontent, audio content, photographic content, news content, packettelephony service, and data content.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for providingpremium transport in a DOCSIS-compliant cable network. According to thismethod, a cable modem (CM) receives preferred content provider (PCP)matching criteria. Packets from a customer premises equipment (CPE) arereceived the CM and packet identifying information extracted from apacket IP header. A determination is made whether the packet identifyinginformation matches PCP matching criteria. If the packet identifyinginformation matches the PCP matching criteria, then the packets aredirected to the CMTS over a premium upstream service flow.

In an embodiment of the present invention, packet identifying criteriacomprises a packet destination IP address and PCP matching criteriacomprises a stored source IP address. Optionally, packet identifyinginformation comprises a source IP address and a source port number andPCP matching criteria comprise a stored packet IP address and a storedpacket port number. In another embodiment of the present invention, thepacket identifying information further comprises a type-of-serviceidentifier and the PCP matching criteria comprise a stored packet sourceIP address and a type of service identifier.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the premium upstream serviceflow comprises parameters indicative of a maximum upstream burst rate, atraffic priority, and a maximum upstream latency.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, if the packetidentifying information matches the PCP matching criteria, then thepreferred packet statistics log receives the packet identifyinginformation and billing information. In an embodiment of the presentinvention, the billing information comprises the premium serviceclassifier, a packet destination IP address, and a date and time thepacket was routed from the CM to the CMTS. In still another embodimentof the present invention, the PCP matching criteria are associated witha PCP identifier and the billing information further comprises the PCPidentifier.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a PCP is a provider ofcontent selected from the group consisting of games, web pages, videocontent, audio content, photographic content, news content, packettelephony service, and data content.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for providingpremium transport to a preferred content provider over aDOCSIS-compliant cable network. According to this method, an agreementto provide premium transport to the preferred content provider (PCP) ismade. Downstream packets are identified as originating from the PCP andare provided premium transport over the DOCSIS-compliant cable network.A measure indicative of premium transport usage by the PCP is stored. Inan embodiment of the present invention, the measure indicative ofpremium transport usage by the PCP comprises packet volume. In anotherembodiment of the present invention, the measure indicative of premiumtransport usage by the PCP comprises a session time. The PCP is billedbased on the premium transport usage.

According to this method, PCP matching criteria are established. Packetsdirected downstream to a subscriber on the DOCSIS-compliant network arereceived and packet identifying information extracted from a packet IPheader of a packet. A determination is made whether the packetidentifying information matches the PCP matching criteria. If the packetidentifying information matches the PCP matching criteria, then thepacket IP header is modified to receive a premium service classifierindicative of premium transport.

In one embodiment of the present invention, packets are received at anedge server. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention,packets are received at a CMTS.

In an embodiment of the present invention, packet identifyinginformation and PCP matching criteria comprise a source IP address.Optionally, packet identifying information and PCP matching criteriacomprise a source IP address and a source port number. In anotherembodiment of the present invention, packet identifying information andPCP matching criteria comprise a source IP address and a type-of-serviceidentifier.

Packets routed to the subscriber are received at a CMTS. A determinationis made whether the packet IP header comprises a premium serviceclassifier. If the packet IP header comprises the premium serviceclassifier, then a downstream premium service flow is selected, and thepacket is directed to the subscriber using the selected premium serviceflow. In an embodiment of the present invention, the premium downstreamservice flow comprises parameters indicative of a minimum reservedtraffic rate, a traffic priority, and a maximum downstream latency.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, a PCP is aprovider of content selected from the group consisting of games, webpages, video content, audio content, photographic content, news content,packet telephony service, and data content.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates block diagram of a cable network adapted to providepremium transport services according to embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flow diagram of the process by which a packet isidentified as a preferred packet and directed downstream using a premiumservice classifier according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram of the process by which a packet isidentified by a cable modem as a preferred upstream packet and directedupstream using a premium service flow according to embodiments of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following terms are used in the description that follows. Thedefinitions are provided for clarity of understanding:

-   CM—A cable modem.-   CMTS—A CM termination system.-   CPE—Customer premises equipment.-   DSCP—Differentiated service code.-   DOCSIS—“Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification” issued by    Cable Television Laboratories, Inc.-   DOCSIS Compliant Cable Network—A cable network segment between a    CMTS and a CM that complies with DOCSIS.-   IPDR—Internet protocol detail records.-   IP—Internet protocol.-   IP address—An address assigned to a device in accordance with the    Internet protocol.-   MAC address—The media access controller address of a network device.-   QoS—Quality of service.-   PCP—Preferred content provider.-   SFID—Service flow identifier.-   SID—Service identifier.-   ToS—Type of service.-   VoIP—Voice over Internet Protocol.

In an embodiment of the present invention, an edge server maintains alist of preferred content providers (PCPs). By way of illustration andnot as a limitation, a PCP may provide content comprising games, webpages, video content, audio content, photographic content, news content,packet telephony service, and data content. For each PCP, the PCP listcomprises matching criteria. The PCP can also be maintained by acentralized PCP list server that periodically pushes the PCP list toeach of the edge servers or from which the edge servers periodicallypull the lists.

The edge server monitors the header of incoming packet for the matchingcriteria. A packet that comprises the matching criteria is modified bythe edge server causing the packet to receive a higher downstream QoS ofservice level (“premium transport”). In an embodiment of the presentinvention, the matching criteria are selected from the packet source IPaddress, the packet source port, the packet protocol, and thedestination port. However, this is not meant as a limitation, as will beapparent to those skilled in the art, other criteria may be used tomatch a packet to a listed PCP. For example, a packet may comprise aMulti-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) tag that is used by the edgeserver to qualify a packet for premium transport. For a particular PCP,the cable system operator establishes matching rules that require one ormore of the matching criteria to be present in the received packet toqualify that packet for premium transport.

FIG. 1 illustrates block diagram of a cable network adapted to providepremium transport services according to embodiments of the presentinvention. Referring to FIG. 1, cable network 100 comprises a cablemodem termination system (CMTS) 120, a managed IP network 125, and anedge server 130. CMTS 120 comprises a CMTS datastore 115 that maintainsservice flow definitions that are mapped to service classifiers. A cablemodem 110 is connected to CMTS 120 and provides network connectivity toCPE 105.

The CMTS 120 connects to the Internet 150 via managed IP network 125 andedge server 130. Edge server 130 comprises packet discriminator 135 andpreferred content provider (PCP) datastore 140. A content provider 160directs packets to cable network 100 via the Internet 150 and edgeserver 130.

PCP datastore 140 comprises matching criteria used to identify packetsoriginating from a PCP (“preferred packets”) and a premium serviceclassifier associated with packets identified as preferred. By way ofillustration and not as a limitation, a preferred packet may beidentified by its source IP address, originating port, destination port,and ToS bits. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, one ormore of these criteria may be use to identify a packet as preferred. Thepremium service classifier represents an identifier that is mapped atthe CMTS 120 to a premium service flow.

Packet discriminator 135 comprises logic for parsing the IP header ofpackets that are received by edge server 130, extracting identifyinginformation of the sender of a packet, and applying matching criteria todetermine whether the sender identifying information matches thematching criteria held in the PCP datastore 140. If the senderidentifying information matches the matching criteria, packetdiscriminator 135 is further adapted to modify the packet in a mannerthat will identify it as packet entitled to “premium” transport. In anembodiment of the present invention, the packet is modified by replacingthe ToS (or DSCP) bits in the header of the packet as received by theedge server with the premium service classifier associated with the PCP.If the sender identifying information does not match the matchingcriteria, packet discriminator 135 routes the received packet withoutmodifying the packet.

CMTS 120 is adapted to direct packets to CM 110 in accordance withservice flow definitions held in CMTS datastore 115 in accordance withthe service classifier specified in the packet IP header. A “preferred”packet is directed to CM 110 in accordance with the “premium” serviceflow specified by the premium service classifier inserted by packetdiscriminator 135.

Cable network 100 further comprises preferred packet statistics log 145.As illustrated in FIG. 1, preferred packet statistics log collectspreferred packet statistics from packet discriminator 135. By way ofillustration and not as a limitation, preferred packet statisticscomprise the packet identifying information and billing information. Byway of illustration and not as a limitation, billing informationcomprises the service classifier inserted into the preferred packetheader, the destination IP address, and the date and time the edgeserver forwarded the packet. In an embodiment of the present invention,the matching criteria in PCP datastore 140 is associated with a PCPidentifier. The PCP identifier identifies the PCP associated with thematching criteria. In this embodiment, billing information furthercomprises the PCP identifier. In yet another embodiment of the presentinvention, the records within preferred packet statistics log 145 are inXML format. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, therecords within preferred packet statistics log 145 are in IPDR (InternetProtocol Detail Records) format.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, the preferredpacket statistics log 145 receives preferred packet statistics from theCMTS 120 (as indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 1).

FIG. 2 illustrates a flow diagram of the process by which a packet isidentified as a preferred packet and directed downstream using a premiumservice classifier according to embodiments of the present invention.

A packet is received at an edge server 200. The edge server parses thepacket for source identifying information 205. The edge server thenevaluates the source identifying information to determine whether itmatches matching criteria 210. By way of illustration and not as alimitation, a preferred packet may be identified by its source IPaddress, originating port, destination port, and ToS bits. As will beappreciated by those skilled in the art, one or more of these criteriamay be use to identify a packet as preferred.

If the source identifying information does not match the matchingcriteria, the “standard” packet is routed without modification 215. Thestandard packet is received at a CMTS 220 and a downstream service flowis selected based on the ToS bits in the packet header 225. The standardpacket is then sent downstream to the destination IP address using theselected service flow 230.

If the source identifying information matches the matching criteria, theToS bits in the “preferred” packet are replaced with a serviceclassifier associated with the matching criteria 240. The preferredpacket is received at a CMTS 245 and a “premium” downstream service flowis selected based on the service classifier inserted into the packetheader 250. The preferred packet is then sent downstream to thedestination IP address using the premium service flow 255.

In an embodiment of the present invention, packets sent in response to apreferred packet are identified as preferred upstream packets by a cablemodem and are sent via a premium “upstream” service flow.

When a CM boots, it receives a boot or configuration file that comprisesparameters that determine the way in which the CM performs on the cablenetwork. Of relevance here is a QoS profile that affects the manner inwhich packets are sent and received by the CM. The QoS profile comprisesthe following information:

-   -   Service class IDs    -   Minimum traffic rate    -   Maximum allowed traffic rate    -   Traffic priority    -   Grant sizes and intervals    -   Jitter parameters    -   Burst & Packet Sizes

CMs also receive upstream classifiers that are used to identify themanner in which packets are transported in the upstream direction. In anembodiment of the present invention, during the provisioning process, acable modem receives premium upstream classifier matching parametersthat are stored in the CM. The premium upstream matching criteria andused to identify packets that are destined for a PCP and to direct thosepackets to the PCP using a premium service flow. By way of illustrationand not as a limitation, premium matching criteria comprise source anddestination addresses (and their associated masks), upper level protocol(e.g. TCP, UDP), source and destination port ranges, and ToS bits. Apacket the matches the premium matching criteria is treated in aspecified manner. For example, the ToS bits in the IP packet that wasmatched may be rewritten, then passed to the CMTS over a premiumupstream service flow.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram of the process by which a packet isidentified by a cable modem as a preferred upstream packet and directedupstream using a premium service flow according to embodiments of thepresent invention.

A packet is received at a CM 300. The CM parses the packet fordestination identifying information 305. The CM then evaluates thedestination identifying information to determine whether it matches apremium upstream matching criteria 310. By way of illustration and notas a limitation, premium upstream matching criterion comprises thepacket destination IP address, destination port, and ToS bits. As willbe appreciated by those skilled in the art, one or more of thesecriteria may be used in combination to establish the premium upstreammatching criteria.

If the destination identifying information does not match the premiumupstream matching criteria, the “standard” packet is routed to thedestination IP address accordance with the “standard” rules enforced bythe CM 315, including the standard service flow to which it is otherwiseentitled.

If the destination identifying information matches the premium upstreammatching criteria, the preferred upstream packet is sent to thedestination IP address according to a premium upstream service flowassociated with the matching criteria 340.

In embodiment of the present invention, premium transport is offered tocontent providers for a fee. In this embodiment, a cable networkoperator agrees to identify downstream packets as originating from apreferred content provider using the systems and methods previouslydescribed. A measure of the premium transport usage is captured eitherat an edge server or at a CMTS. By way of illustration and not as alimitation, the number of packets that are modified to qualify forpremium transport are counted and used to determine a usage fee to becharged to the PCP. Alternatively, the time that a premium service flowis used is captured and used for this purpose. As will be appreciated bythose skilled in the art, other measures of usage may be employedwithout departing from the scope of the present invention.

A system and method for providing premium transport in aDOCSIS-compliant cable network have been described. It will beunderstood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may beembodied in other specific forms without departing from the scope of theinvention disclosed and that the examples and embodiments describedherein are in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. Thoseskilled in the art of the present invention will recognize that otherembodiments using the concepts described herein are also possible.Further, any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example,using the articles “a,” “an,” or “the” is not to be construed aslimiting the element to the singular.

1. A system for providing premium transport in a DOCSIS-compliant cablenetwork comprising: a preferred content provider (PCP) datastorecomprising PCP matching criteria; a packet discriminator adapted to:receive packets directed downstream to a subscriber on theDOCSIS-compliant network; extract packet identifying information from apacket IP header of a packet; determine if the packet identifyinginformation matches the PCP matching criteria; if the packet identifyinginformation matches the PCP matching criteria, then modify the packet IPheader to receive a premium service classifier indicative of premiumtransport; and route the packet to the subscriber.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the packet identifying information comprises a packetsource IP address.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the PCP matchingcriteria comprise a stored source IP address.
 4. The system of claim 2,wherein the packet identifying information further comprises a sourceport number.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the PCP matching criteriacomprise a stored packet IP address and a stored packet port number. 6.The system of claim 2, wherein the packet identifying informationfurther comprises a type-of-service identifier.
 7. The system of claim6, wherein the PCP matching criteria comprise a stored packet source IPaddress and a type of service identifier.
 8. The system of claim 1,wherein the premium service classifier indicative of premium transportcomprises premium type-of-service bits indicative of premium transport.9. The system of claim 1 further comprising a cable modem terminationsystem (CMTS) and wherein the CMTS is adapted to: receive the packetrouted to the subscriber; determine whether the packet IP headercomprises the premium service classifier; if the packet IP headercomprises the premium service classifier, then select a premiumdownstream service flow; and direct the packet to the subscriber usingthe selected premium downstream service flow.
 10. The system of claim 9,wherein the premium downstream service flow comprises parametersindicative of a minimum reserved traffic rate, a traffic priority, and amaximum downstream latency.
 11. The system of claim 1 further comprisinga cable modem termination system (CMTS) and wherein the packetdiscriminator is located at the CMTS.
 12. The system of claim 1, whereinthe system further comprises an edge server.
 13. The system of claim 12,wherein the packet discriminator is located at the edge server.
 14. Thesystem of claim 1, further comprising a preferred packet statistics logadapted to: if the packet identifying information matches the PCPmatching criteria, then receive the packet identifying information andbilling information.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein billinginformation comprises the premium service classifier, a packetdestination IP address, and a date and time the packet was routed to thesubscriber.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the PCP matchingcriteria are associated with a PCP identifier and wherein the billinginformation further comprises the PCP identifier.
 17. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the PCP is a provider of content selected from thegroup consisting of games, web pages, video content, audio content,photographic content, news content, packet telephony service, and datacontent.
 18. A method for providing premium transport in aDOCSIS-compliant cable network comprising: receiving packets directeddownstream to a subscriber on the DOCSIS-compliant network; extractingpacket identifying information from a packet IP header of a packet;determining if the packet identifying information matches preferredcontent provider (PCP) matching criteria; if the packet identifyinginformation matches the PCP matching criteria, then modifying the packetIP header to receive a premium service classifier indicative of premiumtransport; and routing the packet to the subscriber.
 19. The method forproviding premium transport in a DOCSIS-compliant cable network of claim18, wherein receiving packets directed to the subscriber on theDOCSIS-compliant network comprises receiving packets directed to thesubscriber at an edge server.
 20. The method for providing premiumtransport in a DOCSIS-compliant cable network of claim 18, whereinreceiving packets directed to the subscriber on the DOCSIS-compliantnetwork comprises receiving packets directed to the subscriber at acable modem termination system.
 21. The method for providing premiumtransport in a DOCSIS-compliant cable network of claim 18, wherein thepacket identifying information comprises a packet source IP address. 22.The method for providing premium transport in a DOCSIS-compliant cablenetwork of claim 21, wherein the PCP matching criteria comprise a storedsource IP address.
 23. The method for providing premium transport in aDOCSIS-compliant cable network of claim 21, wherein the packetidentifying information further comprises a packet source port number.24. The method for providing premium transport in a DOCSIS-compliantcable network of claim 23, wherein the PCP matching criteria comprise astored packet IP address and a stored packet port number.
 25. The methodfor providing premium transport in a DOCSIS-compliant cable network ofclaim 21, wherein the packet identifying information further comprises atype-of-service identifier.
 26. The method for providing premiumtransport in a DOCSIS-compliant cable network of claim 25, wherein thePCP matching criteria comprises a stored packet IP address and a storedtype-of-service identifier.
 27. The method for providing premiumtransport in a DOCSIS-compliant cable network of claim 18 furthercomprising: receiving the packet routed to the subscriber at a cablemodem termination system; determining whether the packet IP headercomprises the premium service classifier; if the packet IP headercomprises the premium service classifier, then: selecting a downstreampremium service flow; and directing the packet to the subscriber usingthe selected premium service flow.
 28. The method for providing premiumtransport in a DOCSIS-compliant cable network of claim 27, wherein thepremium downstream service flow comprises parameters indicative of aminimum reserved traffic rate, a traffic priority, and a maximumdownstream latency.
 29. The method for providing premium transport in aDOCSIS-compliant cable network of claim 18 further comprising: if thepacket identifying information matches the PCP matching criteria, thensending the packet identifying information and billing information to apreferred packet statistics log.
 30. The method for providing premiumtransport in a DOCSIS-compliant cable network of claim 29, whereinbilling information comprises the premium service classifier, a packetdestination IP address, and a date and time the packet was routed to thesubscriber.
 31. The method for providing premium transport in aDOCSIS-compliant cable network of claim 30, wherein the PCP matchingcriteria are associated with a PCP identifier and wherein the billinginformation further comprises the PCP identifier.
 32. The method forproviding premium transport in a DOCSIS-compliant cable network of claim18, wherein a PCP is a provider of content selected from the groupconsisting of games, web pages, video content, audio content,photographic content, news content, packet telephony service, and datacontent.
 33. A system for providing premium transport in aDOCSIS-compliant cable network comprising: a cable modem (CM), acustomer premises equipment (CPE), and a cable modem termination system(CMTS), wherein the CPE is connected to the CM and the CM communicateswith the CMTS over a hybrid fiber pathway, and wherein the CM is adaptedto: receive preferred content provider (PCP) matching criteria; receivepackets from the CPE; extract packet identifying information from apacket IP header of a packet; determine if the packet identifyinginformation matches the PCP matching criteria; and if the packetidentifying information matches the PCP matching criteria, then directthe packet to the CMTS over a premium upstream service flow.
 34. Thesystem of claim 33, wherein the packet identifying information comprisesa packet destination IP address.
 35. The system of claim 34, wherein thePCP matching criteria comprise a stored source IP address.
 36. Thesystem of claim 34, wherein the packet identifying information furthercomprises a destination port number.
 37. The system of claim 36, whereinthe PCP matching criteria comprise a stored packet IP address and astored packet port number.
 38. The system of claim 34, wherein thepacket identifying information further comprises a type-of-serviceidentifier.
 39. The system of claim 38, wherein the PCP matchingcriteria comprise a stored packet source IP address and a type ofservice identifier.
 40. The system of claim 33, further comprising apreferred packet statistics log adapted to: if the packet identifyinginformation matches the PCP matching criteria, then receive the packetidentifying information and billing information.
 41. The system of claim40, wherein billing information comprises the premium serviceclassifier, a packet destination IP address, and a date and time thepacket was routed from the CM to the CMTS.
 42. The system of claim 41,wherein the PCP matching criteria are associated with a PCP identifierand wherein the billing information further comprises the PCPidentifier.
 43. The system of claim 33, wherein a PCP is a provider ofcontent selected from the group consisting of games, web pages, videocontent, audio content, photographic content, news content, packettelephony service, and data content.
 44. The system of claim 33, whereinthe premium upstream service flow comprises parameters indicative of amaximum upstream burst rate, a traffic priority, and a maximum upstreamlatency.
 45. A method for providing premium transport in aDOCSIS-compliant cable network comprising: receiving at a cable modem(CM) preferred content provider (PCP) matching criteria; receiving atthe CM packets from a customer premises equipment (CPE); extractingpacket identifying information from a packet IP header of a packet;determining if the packet identifying information matches the PCPmatching criteria; and if the packet identifying information matches thePCP matching criteria, then directing the packet to the CMTS over apremium upstream service flow.
 46. The method for providing premiumtransport in a DOCSIS-compliant cable network of claim 45, wherein thepacket identifying information comprises a packet destination IPaddress.
 47. The method for providing premium transport in aDOCSIS-compliant cable network of claim 46, wherein the PCP matchingcriteria comprise a stored destination IP address.
 48. The method forproviding premium transport in a DOCSIS-compliant cable network of claim46, wherein the packet identifying information further comprises apacket destination port number.
 49. The method for providing premiumtransport in a DOCSIS-compliant cable network of claim 48, wherein thePCP matching criteria comprise a stored packet IP address and a storedpacket port number.
 50. The method for providing premium transport in aDOCSIS-compliant cable network of claim 46, wherein the packetidentifying information further comprises a packet type-of-serviceidentifier.
 51. The method for providing premium transport in aDOCSIS-compliant cable network of claim 50, wherein the PCP matchingcriteria comprise a stored packet IP address and a storedtype-of-service identifier.
 52. The method for providing premiumtransport in a DOCSIS-compliant cable network of claim 45, wherein thepremium upstream service flow comprises parameters indicative of amaximum upstream burst rate, a traffic priority, and a maximum upstreamlatency.
 53. The method for providing premium transport in aDOCSIS-compliant cable network of claim 45 further comprising: if thepacket identifying information matches the PCP matching criteria, thensending the packet identifying information and billing information to apreferred packet statistics log.
 54. The method for providing premiumtransport in a DOCSIS-compliant cable network of claim 53, whereinsending billing information to the preferred packet statistics logcomprises sending the premium service classifier, a packet destinationIP address, and a date and time the packet was routed from the CM to theCMTS.
 55. The method for providing premium transport in aDOCSIS-compliant cable network of claim 54, wherein the PCP matchingcriteria are associated with a PCP identifier and wherein the billinginformation further comprises the PCP identifier.
 56. The method forproviding premium transport in a DOCSIS-compliant cable network of claim45, wherein a PCP is a provider of content selected from the groupconsisting of games, web pages, video content, audio content,photographic content, news content, packet telephony service, and datacontent.
 57. A method for providing premium transport to a preferredcontent provider over a DOCSIS-compliant cable network comprising:agreeing to provide premium transport to the preferred content provider(PCP); identifying downstream packets as originating from the PCP;providing premium transport over the DOCSIS-compliant cable network todownstream packets originating from the PCP; storing a measureindicative of premium transport usage by the PCP; billing the PCP basedon the premium transport usage.
 58. The method for providing premiumtransport to a preferred content provider of claim 57, wherein themethod further comprises establishing PCP matching criteria, and whereinidentifying downstream packets as originating from the PCP comprises:extracting packet identifying information from a packet IP header of apacket; determining if the packet identifying information matches thePCP matching criteria; if the packet identifying information matches thePCP matching criteria, then modifying the packet IP header to receive apremium service classifier indicative of premium transport.
 59. Themethod for providing premium transport to a preferred content providerof claim 57, wherein identifying downstream packets as originating fromthe PCP is performed at an edge server.
 60. The method for providingpremium transport to a preferred content provider of claim 57, whereinidentifying downstream packets as originating from the PCP is performedat a cable modem termination system.
 61. The method for providingpremium transport to a preferred content provider of claim 58, whereinthe packet identifying information comprises a packet source IP address.62. The method for providing premium transport to a preferred contentprovider of claim 61, wherein the PCP matching criteria comprise astored source IP address.
 63. The method for providing premium transportto a preferred content provider of claim 61, wherein the packetidentifying information further comprises a packet source port number.64. The method for providing premium transport to a preferred contentprovider of claim 63, wherein the PCP matching criteria comprise astored packet IP address and a stored packet port number.
 65. The methodfor providing premium transport to a preferred content provider of claim61, wherein the packet identifying information further comprises atype-of-service identifier.
 66. The method for providing premiumtransport to a preferred content provider of claim 65, wherein the PCPmatching criteria comprises a stored packet IP address and a storedtype-of-service identifier.
 67. The method for providing premiumtransport in a DOCSIS-compliant cable network of claim 57 furthercomprising: receiving the packet routed to the subscriber at a cablemodem termination system; determining whether the packet IP headercomprises the premium service classifier; if the packet IP headercomprises the premium service classifier, then: selecting a downstreampremium service flow; and directing the packet to a subscriber using theselected premium service flow.
 68. The method for providing premiumtransport in a DOCSIS-compliant cable network of claim 67, wherein thepremium downstream service flow comprises parameters indicative of aminimum reserved traffic rate, a traffic priority, and a maximumdownstream latency.
 69. The method for providing premium transport in aDOCSIS-compliant cable network of claim 57, wherein the measureindicative of premium transport usage by the PCP comprises packetvolume.
 70. The method for providing premium transport in aDOCSIS-compliant cable network of claim 57, wherein the measureindicative of premium transport usage by the PCP comprises a sessiontime.
 71. The method for providing premium transport in aDOCSIS-compliant cable network of claim 57, wherein a PCP is a providerof content selected from the group consisting of games, web pages, videocontent, audio content, photographic content, news content, packettelephony service, and data content.